a bit of a struggle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bit of a struggle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation that is somewhat challenging or difficult, often in a light-hearted or informal context. Example: "Learning to play the guitar was a bit of a struggle at first, but I eventually got the hang of it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Well, maybe a bit of a struggle.

The New York Times - Sports

Adjusting has been a bit of a struggle.

The New York Times

Admittedly, that first year was a bit of a struggle.

The Guardian

Weight was always a bit of a struggle.

The New York Times - Style

"I suppose it was a bit of a struggle.

The New York Times - Sports

By Arrieta's standards, it was a bit of a struggle.

The Guardian - Sport

"We do realise this is a bit of a struggle," he told the BBC.

The Guardian

"The UK is going to face a bit of a struggle.

The Guardian - Business

"It was a bit of a struggle, to be honest," McIlroy said.

The New York Times - Sports

But this is where the argument faces a bit of a struggle.

The Economist

"We brought him in here and got him enthused after a bit of a struggle.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a bit of a struggle" to describe challenges that are not overwhelming but require effort and persistence. It's suitable for both personal anecdotes and objective reporting.

Common error

While versatile, avoid using "a bit of a struggle" excessively in a single piece of writing. Vary your language with synonyms to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bit of a struggle" functions as a noun phrase that describes a situation or activity that involves some difficulty or effort. It serves to characterize the degree of challenge encountered. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a bit of a struggle" is a common and versatile expression used to describe situations that present a moderate level of difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, it serves to acknowledge challenges without overstating their severity. While "a bit of a struggle" is suitable for diverse writing styles, it is beneficial to consider synonyms like "a minor difficulty" or "a slight challenge" for maintaining reader engagement and adjusting the tone to fit more formal settings. Understanding the nuances of this phrase allows writers to convey challenges accurately while maintaining clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moderately challenging

Directly describes the level of difficulty as being moderate.

a slight challenge

Emphasizes the challenging aspect while minimizing the degree of difficulty.

a minor difficulty

Indicates a less intense form of challenge compared to "a bit of a struggle".

a small hurdle

Presents the difficulty as an obstacle to overcome, implying it's manageable.

not entirely easy

Understates the difficulty, implying it's not straightforward.

a mild hardship

Suggests a low level of suffering or inconvenience.

a touch of adversity

Highlights the presence of unfavorable conditions in a softened manner.

rather trying

Highlights the testing or straining nature of the situation.

a spot of bother

An informal way to describe a troublesome situation.

somewhat taxing

Focuses on the energy-draining aspect of the difficulty.

FAQs

How can I use "a bit of a struggle" in a sentence?

You can use "a bit of a struggle" to describe a situation that is somewhat challenging but manageable, for example, "Learning to code was "a bit of a struggle" at first, but I eventually got the hang of it."

What are some alternatives to "a bit of a struggle"?

You can use alternatives like "a minor difficulty", "a slight challenge", or "moderately challenging" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a bit of a struggle" in formal writing?

While generally suitable for various contexts, in highly formal writing, consider using more precise and professional terms like "moderately challenging" or "somewhat taxing".

What's the difference between "a bit of a struggle" and "a major challenge"?

"A bit of a struggle" implies a less severe and more manageable difficulty compared to "a major challenge", which suggests a more significant and demanding obstacle.